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Monday, October 7, 2013

Ogdensburg - DTP Consultation

Ogdensburg Wesleyan Church

Consultation

September 29, 2013

Strengths

1.
Pastor and Spouse

Although
Pastor Jon and Jamie Wixson have been in Ogdensburg for only six weeks, they
have won the hearts of the people. Their
youth, energy, faith and expectancy have injected fresh hope into a
congregation that was near death.

2.
Unique Facilities

The
old schoolhouse that is now the church is well maintained for its age. It is clean, neat, and offers a home base
that can be used for the foreseeable future.
The congregation has high hopes of soon outgrowing this space in the
Sunday morning service.

3.
Core Leadership

A
small leadership group refuses to give up even in the face of great adversity
and unexpected events. They cling to the
hope that God is not through with this church yet and that it can have a viable
ministry to this needy city.

4. Financial Resources

Over
the years, the church stockpiled financial reserves. Without these funds, the church would have no
future. However, strategically used for outreach,
they offer hope for ministry going forward.

5.
Community Center

Located
in the heart of a residential area that is full of children, the whole building
and adjacent lot has great potential as a community center. By faith, we see a multitude of uses that
will build bridges to the needy and hurting lives surrounding the church.

Concerns

1.
Mission/Vision

The
congregation has been inwardly focused; with many people more concerned about
what the church can do for them rather than what the church can do for the
city. The mission/vision must be
refocused and redirected.

2.
Reputation/Outreach

Unfortunately,
stories are told of behavior by church attenders that have alienated those in
the immediate community. Emphasis on
repentance and healing must take place to recapture respect from the greater
community. Also, it is believed that the
greater Ogdensburg community has no idea that the church exists.

3.
Facilities

The
limited space in the building is not equipped for the multi-purpose use that is
envisioned. Reaching the young families
and children means reconfiguring the largest and most useful spaces. Also, the field beside the church must be
leveraged to aid in the mission/vision.

4.
Finances/Cash Flow

Weekly
tithes and offerings are only $300-$400.
Unless this increases the church will struggle to stay on mission and to
stay alive. Supporting the pastor,
maintaining the property, and funding a vision will take many more dollars
weekly.

5.
Ministries/Structure

Limited
ministries now exist, and those that do exist focus almost exclusively on
“us.” This must change or death is
near. The three ministries that a church
this size must focus on are excellent Sunday morning worship, assimilation of
guests, and innovative ministry to children.

Prescriptions

1.
Mission/Vision

The
congregation, under the leadership of the pastor, shall be called to a
consecrated day of repentance. On this
day, prayers will be offered asking God to forgive the congregation for being
inward focused and failing to regularly reach souls for Christ. The fact that year after year, few if any
souls have come to know Christ as a result of OWC ministries should bring pain
to hearts and tears to eyes. This
service will take place by December 31,
2013.

Following
this day of repentance, prayer drives and walks throughout the community shall
awaken a burden for the lost and hurting of this city that is often described
as a spiritually dark place. The
attendees of this church must believe that they are part of God’s plan to bring
light and hope to broken lives. By April 30, 2014 every street in the city
will have been prayed over.

The
target area will be selected, demographic studies and goals set for the two vision
numbers as taught by the vision team—one of how many lives will be touched by
kindness and one of how many souls will come to Christ.

The
pastor will lead the congregation in house-to-house visits. Rebranding the church to change its image
will be a priority. Whenever there is a
decision to be made regarding whether to use resources and energy on “us” (those
already in the church) or “them” (those in the world who need Christ), “them”
shall receive the priority.

2.
Reputation/Outreach

During
the next year, 80% of the pastor’s time will be spent on outreach and evangelism. Every day, he must be out in the community
meeting influential people, joining key organizations, knocking on doors and
meeting folks and neighbors. Attention
must be given to repairing broken relationships with neighbors who have
experienced unloving attitudes and conduct by church members.

During
the month of December, tins of cookies and hand-written Christmas cards will be
delivered to homes in the area between State Street and the river, Highway 37
and Lafayette St.

Also,
the pastor will lead the congregation in 3-6 bridge events. The events must have strategic follow-up
dates (not date) as taught by the consultation team. Touching people, changing lives must be the
theme every day, all year.

3.
Facilities

The
building is now configured to be used two or three hours a week. In order for that to change, the worship
center must become a multi-purpose room.
The pews will be removed and replaced by stackable, interlocking
chairs. This will make this space
available in various configurations for children’s clubs, community activities,
community meetings, exercise, youth events, etc. Two large-screen TVs (60” or larger) will be
mounted on the walls to enhance the worship experience. To add warmth, hospitality, and to encourage
fellowship, a coffee bar will be placed in the lobby. These renovations will be completed by February 28, 2014. The congregation is encouraged to raise the
money as soon as possible for the 75 chairs.
As soon as $3,000 is raised (approximately 65 chairs), the District
Vision Fund will contribute $500 for the final 10 chairs. It is expected that chairs will be in the
worship center by January 15, 2014.

Attention
will be given to utilizing the lovely park-like lot by the church for
ministry. Soccer, enlarged playground,
outdoor movies, community campouts, etc. are all ideas to help the community
view this place as a place to belong. As
this develops, the congregation will move to “build bridges” to the families
and children who begin to use this space.

Continual
upgrading of the basement space to better serve children and youth will also
take place.

4.
Finances/Cash Flow

The
congregation will read the book The
Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn and a series of messages on this
spiritual topic will be given. This
month, known as Stewardship Month, will take place in January 2014.

In
addition, the leadership team and pastor shall set aside a $4000 Emergency fund
and divide the remaining reserves into 24 equal amounts to be used for ministry
over the next 24 months.

Also
a coach will be provided for the pastor by the District and paid for by the
church.

5.
Ministries/Structure

The
pastor shall lead the congregation in focusing on three ministries this year:
Sunday Morning Worship, Assimilation, and Children. These must have all the
attention and focus.

The
pastor is the director of the worship service and must see that all is done
with excellence - so that guests will have a wonderful experience with God and
new friends.

An
assimilation team following the plan of Nelson Searcy will be put into
place. Church management computer
software will be purchased, mailing list developed, and a deliberate follow-up,
marketing plan put into place.

A
weekday children’s club, children’s church, and children’s sermon are three
points of emphasis that will be put in place almost immediately.

The
Kaiser Model, as taught by the consultation team and explained in the DTP town
hall meeting, will be the way the church is governed going forward.

The
congregation will vote to accept or reject this report by October 20, 2013. All
regular attenders will vote. If rejected the District will not work with the
congregation in relation to the report since the congregation will have spoken.
However, if accepted the District will provide whatever resources are within
its power to give assistance for the congregation to achieve the prescription.